Ballad of Spider John
Ballad of Spider John
By: Willis A. Ramsey
1974
"Spider John" is my name friend
I'm in between freights and I sure would be obliged
I know this may sound strange to you
But if you wait till the song is sung and the story is told
You might come to understand
Oh, I'm old and bent and Devil sent, runnin' out of time
When I long ago held a Royal Flush in my hand
Chorus:
Oh, I was a Supermarket fool
I was a motor bank stool-pidgeon, robbin' my hometown
I thought I lost my blues, yes I thought I paid my dues
I thought I'd found a life to suit my style
But here I sit old Spider John the robber-man
Long, tall, and handsome
Yes, old Spider John with a loaded hand, takin' ransom
Then one day I met Diamond Lill
She was the sweetest thing, I declare
That the summer breeze had ever blown my way
But Lilly she had no idea, of my illustrious occupation
She thought I was a saint, not a sinner, gone astray
But you see that the word got around and Lilly left town
Never saw her again
Tossin' and turnin', 'causin' my heart to grieve
Chorus:
Oh, I was a Supermarket fool
I was a motor bank stool-pidgeon, robbin' my hometown
I thought I lost my blues, yes I thought I paid my dues
I thought I'd found a life to suit my style
But here I sit old Spider John the robber-man
Long, tall, and handsome
Yes, old Spider John with a loaded hand, takin' ransom
That is all my story
It's been these thirty years since I took to the road
To find my precious jewel one
And if you see my Lilly, won't you give her my regards
Tell her ole Spider got tangled in the black web that he spun
You can tell her ole Spider got tangled the black web that he spun